K-12 education is stuck between a rock and a hard place. This is nothing new. We want the best for our children, and many times, education is the top-funded program in a state’s budget. But—states are scrutinizing these budgets and expecting districts to maintain current budgets or do more with less. Pressure is on as belt-tightening has become the norm.

Most schools have some form of digital document filing system, but this may be as elementary as a Windows directory, or a difficult-to-use student information system (SIS) with a clunky document attachment mechanism. Some school systems still rely on paper-based forms and manual paper workflows, which require more time and paper management.

There are four letters making waves across the pond and causing a ripple effect in the United States. Those letters are “GDPR,” and businesses are being forced to take note of these new regulations in the European Union and as they relate to companies and privacy measures in America. GDPR, or General Data Protection Regulation, addresses the export of personal data outside the EU and European Economic Areas (EEA). The primary aim is to provide greater control to citizens and residents over their personal data and to simplify privacy regulations for international businesses. Basically, a complete overhaul of how businesses process and handle data.

Nothing—the absence of something—is a difficult concept to hold in your mind.

Math and numbers were invented by the Sumerians to track commerce and trade as early as 4000 BC. The idea of numbers and simple arithmetic spread rapidly in the region through trade until Egypt applied the understanding of numbers to measurement in 3000 BC and began to build all those amazing structures we marvel at still today. However, the concept of zero—the value of nothing—didn’t happen until 500 AD in India and it revolutionized the world.

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The Speech

If you’ve been to any formal occasion, chances are you’ve sat through an uplifting speech. They all pretty much follow the same script. If ever asked to present, the IOS commencement speech would probably start with a provocative and inspiring quote: